Dr Mosser, Author at Scott Mosser M.D.

After making the decision to have breast augmentation, you also need to make micro-decisions specific to the procedure. Choosing which breast implant type, size, and shape is one of these micro-decisions. An overview of the different implant choices below can help you figure out which ones will suit your aesthetic goals and preferences.

Saline Implants

These implants are made of saline with an outer silicone shell and are approved by the FDA for women who are over 18 years of age. They only require tiny incisions (which is actually an advantage due to less likelihood of obvious scarring) as the saline is only injected once the implant is put into place. An implant rupture from saline implants does not pose any health risk because the sterile saline solution will be naturally absorbed by the body.

Other advantages of saline implants include the following:
- generally expensive than silicone implants
- typically has a firmer feel than their silicon counterparts
- available in various projections to suit different breast shapes
Silicone Implants

Approved by the FDA for women who are 22 years of age, silicone implants are preferred by many because they have a more natural feel and look than their saline counterparts. These implants are pre-filled with silicone gel which requires larger incisions than saline implants.

Silicone implants also have the added benefits:
- breast implant rupture and rippling rarely happen in silicone implants
- silicone implants give the upper breast a more normal sloped appearance which makes it look more natural
- silicone implants typically last longer than saline implants
Gummy Bear Implants

These implants are also known as cohesive gel silicone implants and are approved by the FDA for women who are 22 years old and above. The silicone in these implants have a gummy bear-like consistency and are usually thicker than traditional silicone implants. The firm nature of gummy bear implants can either be perceived as a benefit or a drawback. It becomes a benefit because it provides for a more natural feel while it becomes a drawback because it requires larger incisions to be inserted.

Teardrop vs. Round Implants

Teardrop implants offer the most natural look and feel because they create a sloped appearance similar to that of natural breasts. However, they require the skills of a surgeon who have lots of experience in placing teardrop implants. If the pocket in which the implant is inserted is not correctly done, the implant will most likely flip resulting to a misshapen-looking breast.

On the other hand, round implants are ideal for women who want to have soft, fuller, and well-proportioned breasts which can emphasize cleavage. However, they can look more artificial than teardrop implants.

Talking To Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon

If you live in San Francisco and neighboring areas and would like to learn more about your breast implant options, call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
Here at our practice in San Francisco, we wholly support patients who want to opt for non-surgical treatments for permanent fat reduction. For these patients, we generally recommend CoolSculpting, an FDA-approved procedure which gets rid of unwanted fat safely and effectively.

If you’ve been considering a non-surgical alternative to reduce excess pockets of fat, here’s what you need to know about CoolSculpting.

What is CoolSculpting?

By and large, CoolSculpting utilizes the principle of cryolipolysis in which fat cells are destroyed through controlled cooling techniques. What makes this treatment different from other liposuction techniques is that the surrounding tissues are left undamaged. The target fat cells are naturally eliminated by the body days or weeks following treatment.

Results are permanent and visible differences will be noticeable on the third week following treatment. The most dramatic CoolSculpting outcomes will most likely be visible on the second month post-treatment.

Can I have CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is ideal for individuals who have tried both diet and exercise to get rid of excess pockets of fat and bulges. Plus, one should be within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal body weight and should be within that weight for the past 6 months. Bodybuilders with muscular physiques may be an exception.

If you still have a significant amount of weight to lose, we recommend that you hold off the procedure until you are within 10 to 15 pounds of your ideal body weight.

Women who are trying to become pregnant, already pregnant, or currently breastfeeding may be advised to put their CooolSculpting plans on hold.

What should I expect during and after the procedure?

During the procedure, target areas will be marked and covered with a gel pad. A hand-held applicator vacuum applicator will be applied to the marked skin and will eventually cool the fat cells. The length of time of the cooling process varies depending on the target area. Discomfort during the procedure is rare. In fact, many of our patients multitask during CoolSculpting — they read a book or even tweet about their experience.

Downtime is minimal to non-existent and temporary side effects may include redness, cramping, bruising, and tingling/numbness in the affected area.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to learn more about CoolSculpting. We look forward to your visit!
In recent years, major cosmetic surgeries are not the only ones who have experienced significant growth. Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are also taking the cosmetic industry by storm, ranging from injectables to laser treatments. By and large, this has to do with the ever-evolving technological and conceptual advancements in cosmetic procedures.

A procedure is often considered as minimally invasive when there are no incisions or openings made into the skin. Many people prefer these procedures over their traditional counterparts due to the following advantages:
- Lesser pain and discomfort due to fewer or zero incisions
- Reduced chances of scarring
- Shorter healing times than major surgery
- Reduced risk of complications such as bruising, swelling, and bleeding
- Less trauma to surrounding tissues
- Higher accuracy outcomes
- Lower costs than surgical procedures
It should be noted however that there are certain issues that only surgery can address. A typical example of this would be rhinoplasty versus nose-reshaping via dermal fillers. Although non-surgical rhinoplasty via fillers can help soften the appearance of nasal humps and bumps, this technique cannot help you if your goal is to reduce the size of your nose.

Explore your non-surgical cosmetic options with us today! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment.
It’s that time of the year again to commit to improving certain aspects in your life such as being proactive with how you look and present yourself. After all, your physical appearance will have a profound impact on how you feel about yourself and how you interact with the people around you. If you’re contemplating about a head-to-toe makeover to start the year minus the downtime and costs of plastic surgery, we recommend the following non-surgical options:
- CoolSculpting – Are you frustrated with those stubborn pockets of abdominal fat that do not respond to diet and regular exercise? You might want to consider CoolSculpting, a non-surgical approach to removing fat. Due to its less invasive nature, there is no significant amount of downtime involved.
- Sclerotherapy – Banish leg veins for good with a series of sclerotherapy treatments. A treatment could last between 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and number of leg veins being treated.
- Chemical Peels – If your main skin concerns have to do with light freckling, skin discoloration, or anything that has to do with hyperpigmentation (brought about by prolonged sun exposure), you might want to turn to chemical peels. There are various types of chemical peels out there and it is best to talk to your chemical peel provider about your goals to figure out the type and strength for you.
- Facial Fillers – Losing volume and elasticity is a part of aging itself which in turn leads to unsightly folds, jowls, and creases. If you’re currently experiencing the aforementioned and would want to add some plump and youthfulness this holiday season, facial fillers are your best bet. These fillers vary in their content — from naturally occurring substances such as collagen and hyaluronic acid to synthetic materials that fill in areas that have lost volume.
- Botox – Who wouldn’t want to give the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure a try? Although this injectable is popular in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, it is also approved by the FDA in diminishing the appearance of those pesky vertical lines in between the brows and horizontal lines in your forehead. Since Botox is quite popular, we encourage everyone to exercise caution when choosing a Botox provider.
An initial consultation with Dr. Mosser is your first step to looking and feeling great in 2015! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
According to the most recent figures by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Brazilian butt lift (buttock augmentation via fat transfer) was one of the surgical cosmetic procedures whose consumer demands increased last year. Here at our practice, another cosmetic procedure utilizing fat transfer is also starting to catch the attention of many clients — facial fat transfer.

How Facial Fat Transfer Works

As its name implies, facial fat transfer involves using a patient’s own fat to increase facial volume and consequently look fresher and younger. In most cases, fat is harvested from the stomach or thighs via liposuction. The fat is purified before it is reinjected into desired areas in the face such as the foreread, cheeks, lips, around the eyes, and around the mouth.

Advantages of Fat Transfer

Many of our patients choose to use their own fat for facial rejuvenation for the following reasons:
- Natural looking results
- Minimally invasive and doesn’t require general anesthesia
- Results are immediately noticed and can last for years
- There is no danger of the patient’s body rejecting the filler because it’s his or her own fat in the first place
- It’s like hitting two birds with one stone; liposuction in the donor part of the body could result to an enhancement as well
Planning for Your Facial Fat Transfer

If you’d like to figure out if you’re an ideal candidate for facial fat transfer, get in touch with us for a personal consultation today! We will create a personalized facial rejuvenation plan that is in parallel with your cosmetic goals, existing facial anatomy, and lifestyle habits. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
There is no doubt that transgender surgery will involve a substantial amount of fees and expenses. Thus, transgender surgeries offer at discounted rates or for a lower cost may be appealing for many.

By and large, costs alone should not be the instrument in which a surgeon’s skills and the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes should be measured. First of all, there are surgeons who are the best in the field that offer transgender surgery for a lower cost than average. On the other hand, there are mediocre surgeons who seem to charge way more than the others who have greater skill and experience in transgender surgery.

On a whole, the best way to figure out if your surgeon has the skills and experience to perform the transgender surgery of your choice is finding out his or her history of good surgical outcomes. You can ask your circle of friends for recommendations. Online testimonials may be considered but should not be totally depended on as some of them may be made up stories or entirely exaggerated.

During consultations, asking for before-and-after images of previous patients is also a good way to gauge a surgeon’s skills and finesse. In some cases, these images can be viewed online through the doctor’s website.

It is also equally important to exercise caution when you come across discounted surgeries. Most of the time, surgeons offering procedures that are extremely low are not aware of the current advancements in the industry nor they are knowledgeable of the newer techniques that are less invasive. Furthermore, even if the surgery itself was a success, follow-up clinic visits may be poor or non-existent at all in discounted surgeries.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about transgender reassignment surgery. Aside from creating a surgical plan that is tailored to your needs, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of practice and safety in transgender procedures. Fill out this contact form today or call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment.
There are two types of cosmetic surgeons — responsible doctors who seek to help their patients and irresponsible types who seek to solely improve their bank account. It’s not always easy for a patient to know enough about a surgeon’s technical know-how, but there is a n easy way to differentiate between the responsible and irresponsible.

Ask yourself – do I feel in any way that I’m being even slightly rushed?

For most, cosmetic surgery is a life-changing process that can provide a whole new outlook. Because of that, it’s also a decision that’s not to be taken lightly – nor is it one that should be rushed. If, for example, you’re considering rhinoplasty but just cannot make up your mind, you really shouldn’t have to worry about mulling it over for weeks, months, even years. If you’re vacillating, do you get the feeling the surgeon is getting a bit annoyed with your inability to make up your mind? If so, you need to find a new surgeon.

Dr. Mosser does things differently. We not only encourage a period of deep and comprehensive thought prior to going ahead, we insist upon it. We’ll never rush you to surgery without first giving you time to think carefully about your decision. If you’ve approached the whole subject with a level head then chances are you won’t change your mind and are ready to proceed with surgery. But if you’ve acted upon impulse, you might find that this cooling off period changes, or at least delays, your decision.
Most people would like to change a part or an area on their bodies. Perhaps there are some minor love handles; perhaps the process of aging seems to have accelerated a little too fast. In most cases, there is a cosmetic surgery that can address these issues and the cost is probably lower than you think. But the question is, do you really need plastic surgery?

There are practices and surgeons, putting their own financial interests first, who will tell you surgery is the answer. However, speak to a responsible surgeon and the first thing he or she will ask is why you want the surgery in the first place. In the case of weight loss or shape augmentation, they should ask what efforts you’ve already made on your own to make the difference you’re looking for. For example, if you’ve never made any effort to get off the couch or modify your diet, you shouldn’t be looking at surgery as an easy way out. The same also goes for toning – have you bothered hitting the gym, or are you just looking for the simplest solution?

If you’ve worked hard and tried to address areas you don’t like, then surgery may provide a solution. But if you haven’t put in the effort first, you need to be sure that you’re not considering surgery as an end run around effort and commitment on your part.

So ask yourself again, do you really need plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery has come a long way, but it’s still not the fountain of youth. There isn’t any way to halt, or even slow, the aging process. That said, there are certain behaviors that can speed up the aging of your skin. Here are the three worst offenders.

1 – Smoking

Smoking has a hugely detrimental effect on your skin. And just being a casual smoker, a few cigarettes here and there, isn’t any better. The only safe amount to smoke is to not smoke at all, so kick the habit and your skin will thank you.

2 – UV Exposure

Exposure to the sun’s UV rays obviously ages your skin more quickly. And this isn’t just in the middle of summer. Sun exposure damages your skin the whole year through, so cover up and use sunscreen.

3 – An Unhealthy Lifestyle

Other unhealthy lifestyle choices age your skin more quickly. A poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, sleep deprivation, and other factors can act to prematurely age your skin.
Every day we are asked, “What’s the very best and most effective approach to losing weight?” People are surprised that our first response isn’t the available surgical options. Quite to the contrary, our first advice is to lose weight the natural way, as there’s really no healthier approach to dropping a few pounds.

Many times, potential clients haven’t given a second thought to losing weight through diet and exercise. But weight loss surgery isn’t supposed to a lazy man’s alternative to hard work and healthy eating – it’s supposed to be an option when all conventional methods have failed.

Professional plastic surgeons prefer to see themselves as the experts that do little more than put the icing on an already wonderful cake. They aren’t out to rebuild you from head to toe but instead give you a helping hand if and when it’s needed. This is why the best weight loss results are achieved naturally, only then to be rounded off with a little final finishing from the pros. Extensive weight loss will almost always result in excess skin and a degree of sagging, but this is much easier to address than the entire body.

So, make the changes in diet and exercise necessary to lose weight first. Then, if you still aren’t achieving the results you hope for, we can step in and help.